The Detroit Lions New Free Agents

After a magical season where China Doll was highly productive, things came crashing back to earth. Calvin Johnson’s numbers (fantasy) even dropped this year, although nobody cares because he was still the #1 wide receiver. Well now the Lions are heading into 2013 with some answers solved and they are ready to step up to the dominating forces in the NFC North. The Lions have a chance to take the North, but are not favored over the Packers or Bears. Maybe they can claim dominance as the underdog again?

Another High-Powered Offense

Reggie Bush [RB] – Previously with MIA / NO

By: June Rivera

The ex USC Trojan joins his 3rd NFL squad and has had a strange career after his great college career. He dealt with health issues in New Orleans and then found his rhythm toward the end of his Saints career which included a Super Bowl victory. His explosive abilities were stunted as he joined the Dolphins and was used as just a regular running back. He found success while under Tony Sparano, but Philbin and Co. had it out for him. Bush has definitely earned the respect that was lost during his time with New Orleans. He never really met the expectations we had for him, but he has turned into a solid running back in the league, especially fantasy leagues. He now joins a high-powered Detroit offense that claims they will utilize him similar to how New Orleans did (Returner, RB, 3rd down RB). If the rumors are true, Bush will be heavily targeted in PPR Fantasy Drafts in 2013.

He Can Stay Healthy…I Think

Glover Quin Jr. [SS/CB] – Previously with HOU

Houston couldn’t really afford to keep him and had plans to bring in a different safety, although Ed Reed is a FS. Whether the Lions were the highest bidder or not, they are getting a solid strong safety who can help provide a good defensive mindset to the team. They are going need that when they play the Packers and Bears this season. Quin isn’t a for sure fix, but he is a stepping stone to improvement for the Lions who can’t seem to build a consistently good defense.

Add Him to the Rotation

Jason Jones [DT] – Previously with SEA / TEN

Jim Schwartz coached for Jeff Fisher, they both love to have a solid rotation of defensive linemen. Jason Jones joins their already solid unit, although they lost Vanden Bosch and Cliff Avril. The Lions gain a valuable depth and rotational defensive linemen with the addition of Jason Jones.

Another one..

C.J. Mosley [DT] – Previously with JAX / CLE / NYJ / MIN

Mosley has been an NFL journeymen and is merely depth, but he comes to a system that actually utilizes depth. He is nothing special compared to the NFL, but he has managed to last this long, so he can help the young dumb players that Detroit has.

The Tale of Two Kickers

David Akers [K] – Previously with SF / PHI

By: Keith Lovett

Jason Hanson has finally retired and now Detroit needs to find a new kicker to replace him. Whoever takes his place will enjoy kicking on a regular basis for Detroit, he better be good and have a leg. Akers had trouble in 2012, so hopefully he got that out of his system…

Harvard Rugland aka “Kickalicious” [K] – Norway

The Video Says it all…If he makes the team, he is my guy in fantasy this year. Kickers in Detroit, or Jason Hanson, has been a solid kicker as long as he has been with them. He has excelled with the recent offensive success of Matt Stafford and Calvin Johnson. I’m betting on Rugland to take the job, but hey if it’s Akers they should be fine too. People will just be confused…WHO IS HARVARD RUGLAND? He’s Kickalicious!

Re-Signings

Kris Durham [WR]

Shaun Chapas [FB]

Joique Bell [RB]

Jason Fox [OT]

Willie Young [DE]

Ricardo Silva [FS]

Louis Delmas [FS]

Dylan Gandy [C]

Don Muhlbach [LS]

Chris Houston [CB]

Kassim Osgood [WR/Special Teams]

Amari Spievey [SS]

DeAndre Levy [LB]

Losses:

Jason Hanson [K] – Status: Retired

Sammie Hill [DT] – Status: Signed with TEN

Justin Durant [LB] – Status: Signed with DAL

Lawrence Jackson [DE] – Status: Signed with

Drayton Florence [CB] – Status: Signed with CAR

Corey Williams [DT] – Status: FA

Cliff Avril [DE] – Status: Signed with SEA

Kyle Vanden Bosch [DE] – Status: FA

Gosder Cherilus [OT] – Status: Signed with IND

Andre Fluellen [DT] – Status: Signed with CHI

The Lions cleaned out some of the defensive players as they really weren’t effective. Schwartz has to be sickened by some of the games their defense has played in. Perhaps they have made the right moves to have at least the 2nd best defense in the NFC North? Can Reggie Bush be the man they hope for and add an explosiveness to the offense that they can stack on top of Megatron’s freakish playmaking ability. Expect an improvement for the Lions, if they can avoid injuries to their key players like China Doll.